World Bank Governor's Statement No. 10 - Statement by the Hon. Kaleb Udui, Jr., Governor of the IBRD for the Republic of Palau

Jul 19, 2026

World Bank Governor’s Statement No. 10 dated October 17, 2025 presents Kaleb Udui, Jr.’s address on behalf of Palau and several Pacific island nations to the World Bank Group and IMF. It emphasizes climate change frontline impacts, economic fragility from shocks, and the need for sustained investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, early warning, disaster preparedness, and renewable energy. It also calls for stronger public finance management, human development and job creation, improved connectivity, and tailored support for small states through concessional finance and capacity building.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

Climate Resilience and Disaster Preparedness

Economic and Fiscal Sustainability

Human Development and Job Creation

Infrastructure and Connectivity

Small States Strategy

Conclusion

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized World Bank Governor's Statement No. 10 October 17, 2025 Statement by the Hon. KALEB UDUI, JR., Governor of the IBRD for THE REPUBLIC OF PALAU, ON BEHALF OF THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA, KIRIBATI, MARSHALL ISLANDS, NAURU, SAMOA, SOLOMON ISLANDS,TUVALU AND VANUATU Statement by the Hon. Kaleb Udui, Jr., Governor of the IBRD for the Republic of Palau, on Behalf of the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu Honorable Governors, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen , On behalf of the Pacific Islands, I extend warm greetings from the Blue Pacific Continent— a region rich in culture, heritage, and ocean resources, yet deeply vulnerable to the currents of global change. I express utmost gratitude to the World Bank Group and the IMF for organizing this session. At this critical juncture, I speak as a voice for our remote island nations, reaffirming the urgent need for sustained engagement, investment, and partnership from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Our communities continue to navigate the reverberating effects of recent global shocksand climate extremes while pursuing a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable development path. The Pacific’s call is consistent and clear: scale what works, simplify how it’s delivered, and tailored to remote, small island contexts. Climate Resilience and Disaster Preparedness The Pacific is not on the periphery of global challenges—we are on the frontlines. Climate change continues to threaten our homes, economies, and ways of life. Rising sea levels, intensified weather patterns, and environmental degradation are not future possibilities; they are today’s realities. At the same time, our economies — small, remote, and dependent on external trade—are grappling with the lasting effects of disrupted supply chains, inflation, and economic fragility. Despite these challenges, our resilience is strong based on a clear vision, grounded in regional solidarity, sustainable development, and inclusive economic growth. Sustained engagement is vital in addressing the escalating risks associated with climate change, through increased investments in climate-resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, disaster preparedness and affordable renewable energy solutions. These will also need significant investments in robust risk and exposure data and analytics. Economic and Fiscal Sustainability The Pacific Islands are stewards of the world's largest ocean. We safeguard vast marine ecosystems that play a pivotal role in regulating the global climate. Our region serves asa geostrategic bridge between continents. Our fisheries contribute billions to the global economy. In short, investing in the Pacific is investing in global stability, sustainability, and prosperity. We call on the World Bank and IMF to continue enhanced engagement in the Pacific whether through concessional finance, facilitating access to climate adaptation financing, technical capacity building, targeted investments in promising sectors for economic growth, and building fiscal sustainability. We recognize the critical importance of robust public finance management and prudent fiscal management systems in building resilience against external shocks and appreciate the continued focus on these important areas including strengthening safety nets for future shocks. Human Development and Job Creation We value our people as the Pacific’s greatest assets and call for increased investment in critical public goods like health and education which are key to growth and poverty reduction. Human capital development needs access to quality education and vocational training, access to quality health services and technology to facilitate them. Infrastructure and Connectivity Connectivity is existential in archipelagic geographies. We ask that maritime and i

FAQs

What main risks and priorities does the statement highlight for Pacific island nations?

It highlights climate change threats, rising sea levels, intensified weather, and environmental degradation, alongside economic impacts from disrupted supply chains, inflation, and fragility. The statement prioritizes sustained engagement and investment to address these escalating risks.

What does the statement request from the World Bank and IMF to support resilience?

It calls for increased investments in climate-resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, disaster preparedness, affordable renewable energy solutions, and improved risk and exposure data and analytics. It also asks for enhanced engagement through concessional finance and targeted technical capacity building.

How does the statement propose advancing development beyond climate action?

It emphasizes public finance management and safety nets, increased investment in health and education, and support for vocational training and quality health services. It further requests recognition of maritime and inter-island logistics as core climate-resilient infrastructure and tailored initiatives for small states.

Jul 19, 2026

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